138 Park Lane, London

Restoration and refurbishment of a derelict Grade II Listed landmark building on Park Lane, London.

138 Park Lane is a building in a superb London location that has suffered a history of neglect due to an inability to successfully adapt it to a changing environment, resulting in frequent vacancy and leading to serious dilapidation and a Heritage At Risk status.

The Brief

Under clear direction from a Client body who fully appreciated the quality and importance of the historic fabric but was looking to modernise the building in order to guarantee a long term future, the Team set about developing the scheme as three distinct layers: heritage, layout and interiors:

Heritage

The building is Grade II Listed with a varied and interesting history. Preservation of historic fabric being the first priority, the brief was formed from a comprehensive analysis of the building history, investigating and identifying the significant features from the various periods of its life span.

Layout

The existing apartments had very confused layouts from years of poor adaptation that had lead to their undesirability. Once the key heritage features were established an overlay of sympathetic alterations were proposed to the layouts, themselves based upon detailed investigations of commercial and residential market requirements with local surveyors to ensure the viability of the building could be ensured for the future.

Interiors

Finally, with a need established to develop for the luxury rental market, a further overlay of interior strategy was proposed for the scheme based upon further research into market needs, with each apartment having its own distinct identity and character developed from the original building fabric.

Detailed pre-application discussions were held with Westminster City Council and English Heritage in order to agree on the most appropriate balance between heritage and commercial viability. A consensus was reached and planning approval and listed building consent was granted in March 2012.

Commercial Unit

At Ground and Basement levels a 400m2 speculative A1/A2 commercial unit has been created, with two uncluttered floor plates set in a highly prominent location opposite the entrance to the Marriot Park Lane the unit should be highly desirable.

Previously the unit had suffered from substantial damp and damage due to the an insensitive fit out. Works at basement level include full waterproofing, reinstatement of covered pavement lights to allow natural light to permeate, and refurbishment of the existing ornate plaster ceiling, as originally installed in the late 1920’s. The remnants of the previous fit out have been removed at both levels and the poor quality shopfronts at ground floor have been removed to be replaced at a later stage.

Residential Apartments

Access is from Dunraven Street to a refurbished entrance lobby and new lift serving upper floors. The original grand stair has been repaired and reinstated following previous vandalism. There are four distinct apartments arranged across five floors:

• Crystal Suite – a 150 m2 GIA two bed duplex apartment arranged over ground and first floors with substantial external terrace at first floor
• Olive Suite – a 111 m2 two bed apartment at second floor with external terrace
• Barley Suite – a 110 m2 two bed apartment at third floor
• Sky Suite – a 90 m2 one bed penthouse apartment at fourth floor with private roof terrace

Exterior

The façade has been repaired using appropriate materials and workmanship to reinstate the building in stucco and stone. Excess downpipes and services added during various adaptations have been removed or simplified to provide an uncluttered appearance. To the rear of North Row two full height ground floor windows have been reinstated to the ground floor to replace unsightly plant louvres.

The slate roof has been refurbished, at the same time the entire roof was insulated. The glazed lantern over the common stairs has been fully reinstated with new glazing. A new roof terrace has been inserted over an existing flat roof. The original roof terraces at first and second floor have been repaired and with discreet glazed balustrades used where necessary to meet building regulations.

Existing wrought iron railings and gate have been repaired and refurbished. The existing basement stair has been extended to provide separate residential and commercial access to the external vaults, providing residential waste and cycle storage and commercial plant and waste.

Please click here to view the official 138 Park Lane website.